I’m Carolyn Arenas - a nationally board-certified Acupuncturist, Herbalist, and Registered Nurse practicing in Washington State.  I bring over two decades of experience in healthcare and a deep belief in the body’s innate capacity to heal.

My path to acupuncture began not in a classroom, but in my own body.  As a young adult, I developed an autoimmune condition that conventional medicine couldn’t fully resolve.  It was acupuncture and herbal medicine that restored my health - a powerful experience that enabled me to become a Registered Nurse, so that I could support others through their own healing journeys.

For 20 years, I worked in cardiac care, oncology, community health, and hospice and palliative care.  Along the way, I witnessed firsthand both the strengths and the limitations of Western medicine.  Then, years later, I faced a second health crisis: persistent hives with no clear cause.  Once again, it was acupuncture and herbal medicine that brought lasting resolution.  That was the turning point - I knew I had to become an acupuncturist myself!

I earned my Master’s Degree in Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (MAcHM) from the Seattle Institute of East Asian Medicine, where I trained in a diverse acupuncture styles, hands-on therapeutic techniques, and the rich lineage of East Asian herbal medicine.  

Today, my practice blends the precision of Western clinical training with the depth and nuance of East Asian healing.  I treat all health conditions and bring a holistic, individualized approach to every patient. 

I have a particular passion for Tensegrity-Based Needling, a gentle and highly effective acupuncture technique that integrates Traditional Chinese Medicine with orthopedic principles and sports medicine practices like dry needling.  This allows me to offer comprehensive, root-cause treatments that support long-term pain relief and functional balance.  

Beyond pain management, I have advanced training in women’s health and reproductive health for people of all genders, including:

• Menstrual and gynecological conditions

• Pregnancy care and labor preparation (including breech presentation)

• Postpartum support

• Perimenopausal and menopausal transitions

Herbal medicine is another cornerstone of my practice.  I craft personalized formulas using traditional Chinese herbs - powerful, time-tested remedies that can address physical, emotional, and energetic imbalances in a harmonized, individualized way.

At the heart of my practice is the value of integrity - from the Latin integritas, meaning oneness, wholeness.  I strive to treat each person not just as a collective of symptoms, but as a whole being.  Whether you’re navigating chronic illness, stress, pain, or life transitions, I offer care rooted in respect, compassion, and clinical excellence.  

I’m also deeply committed to inclusivity.  My practice is a body-positive, queer-affirming space where people of all identities and backgrounds are welcome and supported.  

When I’m not at the Thresholds Collective clinic, you’ll likely find me enjoying time with friends, curled up with a good book, or jaunting about in the great outdoors - on land or at sea!

I look forward to walking with you on your path to healing - with warmth, insight, and integrity.